“New Yorkers deserve to know whether elected officials represented the state are paying their fair share of taxes or hold potential financial conflicts of interest,” reads the bill memo. Continue reading “Trump and his Taxes”

Assembly Democrats have staked out a new bargaining position in the negotiations to bring ridesharing to upstate New York.

Late on Friday night, Assemblyman Kevin Cahill introduced a bill that would allow companies like Uber and Lyft to operate north of New York City. Cahill, who chairs the Assembly Insurance Committee, was seen as trying to sabotage the expansion in 2016 and his new bill adds additional caveats that haven’t been proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo or the Senate Republicans.

A key provision of the Assembly bill deals with local control for municipalities. The bill would “authorize localities to regulate TNC vehicles and drivers in the same manner as they are currently authorized to regulate taxicabs and liveries,” according the bill memorandum.

As reported, the bill also imposes sales tax on rides with companies like Uber and Lyft. The proposal would generate revenue for local municipalities, who likely wouldn’t see the same benefits from the governor’s plan.

Cahill’s proposal also requires the TNC company to pay for criminal background checks and forbids passing those costs to the applicants.

Upon the request of a municipality, ridesharing companies must provide information about pick-ups and drop-offs, including locations, dates and times.

It’s also interesting to note the timing of the bill, which was introduced in time for the Assembly to pass it on Monday. It might be too soon to assume this bill can pass the chamber though, as Cahill’s bill from last year died in the committee process when it was taken off the Insurance Committee’s agenda after failing to generate enough support during a June meeting.

Get to know Brian Barnwell, the Assemblyman-elect for the 30th Assembly District in Queens.

Brian won a long-shot primary victory in September and, at 30 years old, is also one of the youngest members of the Assembly. He talked about his goals for the legislative session, campaigning with the help of his family and the 20-pound election diet. Continue reading “Meet the (new) Majority: Brian Barnwell”

What will 2017 bring for the New York Legislature? Who knows! (And anyone who says they do will probably be wrong)

With that caveat, Evan Stavisky came on the podcast to talk about the impact of November’s elections, possible budget priorities for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and how President-elect Trump’s agenda could affect New York.

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Meet Poozer

David Lombardo has worked in and around the Capitol since 2009, when he was an intern with the Legislative Gazette.
He was the Capitol Reporter for the Daily Gazette, where he was recognized by the AP for his blogging. He has since worked as the communications manager for a think tank, ran a (winning) political campaign and served as director of communications for a member of the Assembly.
David is now Capitol Reporter & Development Strategist for New York StateWatch.